During my N3 year, I was able to witness Nate Mattson's professionalism and energy in the classroom as he taught in both our Professional Development and Pathophysiology classes. With both of these teaching opportunities, he readily engaged our class in discussion and used his own experiences to add vigor to the content. As a learner, I was motivated by Nate's own desire to learn. He showed up for each class and made it very clear that he was there to learn as well. So many of our faculty here at KU have this mindset, and Nate exemplified this attitude in all his teaching engagements. I think my class would agree in the fact that we are jealous that the N3's actually got to have Nate as one of their instructors!  In addition to Nate's eagerness to engage learners in the classroom, Nate has personally been a huge part in my figuring out where I was going to pursue a job, as well as a voice of encouragement and inspiration.  I was walking across the bridge one morning to go study and look over to see Nate heading the same way. We greet each other and he then proceeds to ask me those questions every first semester senior in nursing school gets asked, "how are you doing?", "How are classes/clinicals going?", have you been thinking of where you are going to apply?". At this point in time, the first semester I was very overwhelmed at the entire prospect of having to begin making concrete steps moving in any first direction. I do not remember exactly what my reply to his questions was, other than I was seriously considering pediatrics and that I was looking forward to OB clinical. Nate, being a pediatric nurse himself, asked more questions about this desire. After, my explanation, I remember us stopping our walk and him asking if I had a second to sit down. Once we had sat down Nate proceeded to tell me of his career and the many paths it had taken. He told me about finding his love for pediatrics, and how he found teaching. He asked me what my dreams and goals were. He encouraged me to pursue what I wanted and not to settle for what I thought I had to do, or what others thought I would be good at. In hearing him talk, it reminded me of all the wonderful paths nursing can take. He was able to remind me that whatever career move I made, that I had the control to choose what my priorities in life were. Whether this was my family, future spouse, friends, or my faith. Hearing how someone was doing what he loved and yet still has balance and purpose in his life was better than any career advice I could have received from him at that moment.  To this day I still remember how it felt sitting there in that conversation. All the weight that came from trying to choose where to apply, what I was good at, what I wanted to do, where I would be five years from now, all came into a new light and it seemed so simple. I felt encouraged, personally and professionally, and rested for a second in the feeling that all of my worried and wondering prayers were answered. I felt affirmed to continue pursuing pediatrics. As Nate left to go teach after what I am pretty sure was supposed to be his break, I was filled with so much gratitude. This conversation still marks a huge shift for me during that semester. I went from being a worried, unsure nursing student, to someone who knew what their goals and dreams were, ready to continue pursuing that nursing career that we all were working so hard for.
I do not know if Nate remembers that conversation, but I do. I did not expect him to take that time that day, nor did I even ask him to. Nate truly guided and encouraged me during a very overwhelming time and was the most wonderful example of how we as nurses can utilize our empathy, knowledge, communication, and time to make a difference in the lives of our patients, but also in our fellow nurses.